Abstract

Identifying priority areas for ecological restoration is essential for addressing ecosystem degradation and preserving biodiversity. This process requires a strategic integration of ecological security and restoration feasibility to ensure effective use of limited resources and sustainable outcomes. Ecological security focuses on protecting critical ecosystem functions, such as biodiversity, water regulation, and carbon storage, while restoration feasibility evaluates the practicality of implementation, considering factors like cost, technical capacity, and community involvement. By combining these considerations, priority areas can be mapped and ranked using tools such as geospatial analysis and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). Participatory planning and adaptive management further enhance the success of restoration projects. Although challenges remain such as funding constraints and land-use conflicts advances in technology and global support for nature-based solutions offer opportunities to scale up restoration efforts. This integrated approach ensures restoration efforts maximize ecological benefits while remaining viable in practice, contributing to long-term ecological security and sustainability.